Being a Diabetic – Loving Thanksgiving
I love, love, love Thanksgiving. Memories, food, family, and old movies make it a cozy, comfortable day. Not if you’re a diabetic and didn’t prepare for the challenge. DO NOT hate the day. DO NOT begrudge your situation. You can make it work–really. You can satisfy your wants and remain healthy about your choices.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5_16-18 NIV) Continue reading “Being a Diabetic – Loving Thanksgiving” »
Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
A. Lincoln
A Life of Thanksgiving
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1 NIV)
Fall leaves, pumpkin pies, and fires in the fireplace are just a few of the things that make Thanksgiving my favorite holiday. Of course the best thing about Thanksgiving is spending time with family, telling stories, laughing, and eating together. Something about Thanksgiving fills the heart with such warmth. Maybe it’s the warm colors of the leaves or the coziness of the living room when the air is wintry outside. Maybe it’s just that inward warmth that comes from a love that fills the house when family is together in one place.
Sometimes I wish thanksgiving could last all year! Then decorative pumpkins would always be on neighbor’s porches and pumpkin puree would have a permanent place on Kroger’s shelves. Most of all, my heart would always be filled with the warm feeling that results from thankfulness.
Why can’t it be thanksgiving all the time? We don’t need the decorations and desserts every day; why can’t we have that warm feeling of thankfulness? I realized there is only one thing that truly makes my heart warm with thankfulness, and that is God’s goodness and love.
God is good all the time, and His love endures forever—not just when the autumn spice candle is burning or when the turkey is hot out of the oven. Every day is a day of thanksgiving because of who God is and what He has done. Let’s celebrate a life of thanksgiving.
ASHLI ROUSSEL
Ashli Roussel, a nineteen-year-old sophomore at Harding University, is passionate about sharing the truth and love of the Lord through writing. She loves camping, running, playing the piano, and participating in missions. Most of all, she is passionate about knowing, following, and serving her Lord and Savior. Without Him, her stories would mean nothing.
Ashli has battled and overcome an eating disorder, which God used to teach her great truths about who He is and how He is involved in our struggles. Now she desires to comfort others with the comfort that she has received from God. Keep an eye out for Ashli’s regular articles on iBegat.com! (read more…)
Do You Say Grace Before You Eat?
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5 NIV)
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